I'm confounded by the Obama bandwagon. No, not the "I love Obama" bandwagon. The other one: the "I hate Obama" bandwagon. Why are people so hungry to hate a man who speaks of hope? I'm not talking about those who don't agree with his politics (even though I believe many of those people are misinformed about what he actually stands for and believes in). I'm referring to people who truly want to despise the most inspiration political figure in years. Hateful emails are being passed around, malicious youtube videos are being circulated, and detestable political ads are being aired, all based on loathsome lies. Two of the top five hardcover "non-fiction" books on the New York Times best seller list are anti-Obama (Obama Nation and The Case Against Obama). Not that they're based on fact or research, mind you. They just want other Americans to buy into the fear and hate as much as they do (and if they're that on the list, it's apparently working). How many times has he been referred to as Osama, or his middle name been brought up in a derogatory way? How many times he been called a Muslim? How many times has Michelle been called an angry black woman? How many times has Barack been labeled an 'elitist'? Are any of these people familiar in the least with his biography? And why are these attacks so prevalent? Are that many Americans secretly racist? Do people give in that easily to fear? Are we that adverse to change?
Now don't get me wrong: I don't think a presidential candidate should be above criticism. I just think it should be true and pertain to the person's ability to lead the nation. Question his policies, criticize his credentials, but don't make up malevolent lies about him. Why can't we have an intelligent dialogue about issues? Why do politics devolve to vicious attacks? Must we cater to the lowest common denominator?
So shame on you if you've bought into the hate. Shame on you if you've spread the lies. Shame on you if you've given in to fear. Do some real research, read some real books, and dare to hope.
"We hate some persons because we do not know them; and will not know them because we hate them."
-Charles Caleb Colton
“Hope – Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead."
-Barack Obama
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2 comments:
Amen. Very nicely said. I'm completely baffled by this election and the intense hatred and irrationality it seems to bringing out in everyone. Use your brains, people!
man, kudos on this post man. Very well said.
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